James Patrick "Sam" Donovan

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, at Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur, Louisiana. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM in the sanctuary, with the memorial service beginning at 5:30 PM.

A celebration of life will follow at 6:30 PM in Key Hall.

Obituary

James Patrick “Sam” Donovan, 66, of Princeton, Texas, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Baylor Medical Center in McKinney, Texas, with his wife by his side. A native of Sulphur, Louisiana, Sam was born September 26, 1959, at West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital to the late J.R. “Pat” Donovan and Ruth Donovan.

He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1977 and was a member of Henning Memorial United Methodist Church. As a boy, Sam was active in the Boy Scouts of America, rose quickly through the ranks, and held leadership roles each summer at scout camp.

At 15, while recovering from a football injury, one of his brothers-in-law gave him a guitar. Sam taught himself to play, formed a band, and began a lifelong love of music. His early performances included local parties and the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the first of many bands and musical memories.

Sam loved all types of music and enjoyed opera, jazz, classical, country, and rock, often one after another. He brought commitment and care to every interest, from music and cooking to photography, woodworking, antique cameras, original art, and scripture study. It was important to him to understand why he believed what he believed, and he spent time reading and comparing different versions of the Bible.

Family and Loved Ones

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Ruth Donovan. He is survived by his wife, Julie Bergstedt Donovan; his son, Daniel Patrick Donovan; and his siblings:

 Colleen Farabough (Ed)

 Ann Gause (Brett)

 Cormack “Mack” Donovan (MaryAnn)

 Mary Satterwhite (Bill)

 Peggy Roub (Duane)

 Shannon Miller (Bryant)

He is also remembered with love by a host of nieces and nephews across Louisiana and Texas. In Daniel’s early years, he and Sam were an inseparable duo, often spending time together on top of the van watching airplanes land at the airport. Sam also delighted in bringing Daniel’s drawings to life by building what his son imagined. His last 26 years were spent married to the little girl from next-door, his childhood best friend and longtime love. He was a loving and devoted husband until his last breath.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sam Donovan’s memorial fund at

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.